Waterless gas holder



July 1s, 1933.` A, M ANWCH 1,918,791

WATERLESS GAS HOLDER Filed Deo. l, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATiORNEY July 18, 1933. A. M ,AN-HCH 1,918,791

WATERLESS GAS HOLDER Filed Deo. l, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR .mon Martin .ntxclz :Ai ORNEY Patented July 18, 1933 i UNITED STATES PATENT oEFicE ANTON MARTIN ANTICH, OF ASBUBY` PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB. OF FORTY PERi CENT T THOMAS SKROZA, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT wATERLEss Gas nomma Application filed December 1, 1930. `Serial No. 499,219.

This invention relates to gas holders and particularly to the waterless type designed to contain a large volume of illuminating gas or the like under pressure and wherein a piston or movable cover is provided to confine the gas and to maintain the pressure.

v Such gas holders usually consist of a large,

`suitably braced, outer `holder `or tank in which is loosely fitted' amovable cover or f piston; The peripheral edges of the piston are spaced slightlyl from vthe inner surface of the outer tank and a gasproof seal between tliepiston and the tank is obtained by the interposition of suitable material such P as felt or fabric impregnated with or enclosing sealing material or lubricant or both.

My invention contemplates the provision of means for forming a permanent automat! ic rolling seal between the.` piston and theV tank, irrespective "of the position of the piston, wherebythe y necessity for the renewal` or replacement of` sealing material from time to timefis obviated, as is N the danger of leaking due tothe Wearing out of or damage to said material. y

My invention further contemplates' the provisionof a sealing device requiring little or no attention and which is efficient and not likely to get outof order. The various objects of my invention will be clear from the description which "follows, and from the drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a top planview of a portionzof u my improved holder, partly. in section,

i and partly broken away to showthe underlying parts, and showing the sealing means and supportstherefor.` y

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one improved holder, partly broken away t0 show a portion of the sealing means.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the. sealingV wheel. 4

Fig. 5 is a similar section of the anti-friction bearings for the various revoluble shafts,

and

Fig. 6 is a front elevation lof the outer tank showing particularly, thersmooth inner sur-V face thereof.

jacentvvtank sections.

half 'of my to the required height and of the required v diameter. `It will be understood that theout er holder 10is usually polygonal or circular in cross-section. A description of one section thereof between the columns 11 willj suflice for all of said sections, since said sec-` tions are identical. Y

The column 11 is preferably built up of a pair of similar vertical channels 12 and 13, arranged back to back and at lthe proper angle to form the adjacent ends of the ad- Said channelsy are secured together at their outer flanges as by' means of a series of plates 14, each bentto form the properly angled corner 15 at the center of the column 1-1,and held in place toV form part of the outer face of the tank, by the upright lines of `rivets 16 and 17. To the inner flanges 18 and 19 of the channels is secured the inner plate 20 forming part of the inner face of the tank. Said plate is provided with a triangular and preferably inwardly projecting portion21 suitably round-- ed at its innermost point or vertex 22. Ex-l tending from each of the edges of `theportion 21 are the preferably flat or curved vertical angularly' disposedextensions 23. If the `tank is circular, these extensions are curved, and if polygonal, they are flat; The lines of rivets 24 and 25 serve to secure the extensions 23 to the corresponding inner flanges of the channels 11 and 12. Said rivets 24 and `25 have fiatheads as 26 on the inside, the flat heads being counter-sunk into suitable liolesiin the extensions 23 so as to present a smooth inner surface onthe plate 20. o

Between the columns 11, the tank is built up by a series of suitably flanged plates 27. Each of said plates 27 comprises the horizontal and comparatively wide upper flange 2S extending from the inside to the outside of the tank, and terminating at each end inl a narrower extension 29 inserted between the flanges ofthe channel. At its extremity, the extension 29 has a vertical downwardly flanged as above described is connected to` the upper flange 28 of an adjacent similar section 27 arranged underneath it, as by means ofthe rivets 35 passing through the wide'upper flange 28 ofthe lower "plate 27 and through the narrow lower flange 7 9` of the adjacent upper plate.

It will be understood that both ends of each of the plates 27 are of substantially identical construction, so that the above description of the end and outside flanges 30 and32 applies equally well to both ends of saidvco'nnecting plate. It will further be understood that the vertical face 34 may be of any convenient or desired height and that the sections 27 are arranged vone above the other and. secured to each other, to the plates @#15, and to the columns 11vto form a rigid 30 braced structure having no internal seams except the horizontal seams 36 between theL flanges 28k and 79, whichseamsneed not be leak-proof as will be hereinafter pointed out,

- i and except for the vertical seams37 between' the extensions 23 and the lplates 27 ,n which;

seams will now be described. At the terminal vertical redge of the extension-230il the l yplate 20 is provided van out-turnedverticalA lflange 38, which is abutted against the simlljv 40 lar out-turned vertical flange 39 integral with the vertical face 34. Said flanges 38 and v39 are secured `to each other by suitablerivets as 40. The seamv 37 on the .inner-extremities iioffsa-id yflanges 38 and 39 isi-endered leakproof, as by means of solder, welding, orthe like, though 'I have4 found solder efficient forV this purpose and quite easily applied to form K1 a smooth .leak-proof seam. r

`It will further be understood that addi# tional plates may beiused on thev outside of the` tank if desiredto cover the space between the Houter flanges 32, or that said plates may Y I be omittedif desired, and that the outer tank may be built up of.: other arrangements rof plates and structural steel shapes, since -I do not intend to'limit myself to the` specific arrangement and construction ofthe tank.

`just described except as hereinafter specif f cally claimed, and vprovided,however, that the projections 21 areprovided for engagej1 ment with the sealing ymeansin'the manner which will be morefully pointed out later. It will. further-be understood that the plates l'"-15-and 2O andthe channels 13Vand 12are continuous and of substantially the entire Leidt/9i height of the'outer tank 10 and that said plates and channels may be spliced, if necessary, to attain such height.

Since the tank 10 is of polygonal crosssection, the sealing means for one typical section thereof, and for oney of the columns 11 only, need be described, it being Aunderstood thatsuch description applies to the remaining columns and the remaining sections, beingfsubstantially identical for said remaining sections and columns. Arranged inside ofthe tank and supported by the pressure of the gas therein is the piston 50. Said piston is suitably'shaped, braced and weighted in a manner wellfknown in the art, and moves upwardly and downwardly as the volume of gas under pressure in the tank varies. y rlhe peripheral edge 51 of the piston isspaced a comton furthermore carries the various means' for sealingthe otherwise openspaces 53 between the edge 51 of theppiston and the inner face of vthe tank. The sealing lmeans will now be described. Y 4

`Said sealing'means comprises as one of its important features, an annular rolling element engaging the inner face 34 of the tank andr extending kcircumferentially about the entire inner surface of said tank and shaped and constructed to fit and vto roll against said surface and theprojections 21. As illustrated, the A,rolling element takes the form of an annular tube l,54cylindrica'l in form, which engages the flat surface 34 and the flat portion of theplate 20. ySince the interior axes of the various cylindrical sections 55 of the roll' ing element or tube are'disposed parallelxto thecorresponding inner' surface of the tank, it becomes desirable to join said sections 55, by flexible means permittingrotation or rolling of the tube against the tank as a unit over itsentire length. Said means takes the form,

as illustrated, of conical connecting sections 59 at the columns. l

The' tube 54.- isv preferably formed of suitable airproof and somewhat flexible material, such asy the rubber andA 'fabric combination commonly used in lflexible hose. A layer as 56 of rubber may be provided at the interiorA of the-tube and ,reinforced withfabric if desired, and may becovered with an outer layer as `57 of suitabley fabrieimpregnated with rubber,'if desired. O neor more air Avalves as of well known type communicate with the interior of the tube. Compressed air may' be forced into the tube interior, through the air v'alves58 to'yinflate'it to the proper diameter and the proper pressure to maintain said tube in the desired pressed contact with inlay/eik V l ical ends thereofmay be flexed to a sufficient 5 degree to" permit the rolling action'of the tube. The cylindrical sectionsare therefore joined by the double conical portions 59,

consisting of the joined truncated cones 48 and 49, j 4Each of said portions is somewhat flexible at the narrowest points thereof, but of sufficient thickness and strengthl Vtoresist substantial"distortion 'under the air pressure in the tube, when such lpressure'is used, and

under the stress putfth'ereupon as the tuberotates. Said portion, however, is sufficiently flexible toeXtend into pressed engagement with the projection 21 to seal efficiently the space between said projection and the portion `59. It will be noted that as the tube 54 rol tates, the'icones 48 and 49 approach `each other at their innermost points, and spread apart at their outermost points, the flexibility of the connecting portion 47 therebetween permitting this action'f i Y The tube 54 is revolubly supported asby means `of a series of shafts engaging said tube throughout its entire length, preferably at its lowermost element; The shaft {iO-may `in turnbe revolubly supported bythe standards 61 secured to the upper surface of the piston, or maybe supported by the piston in anyother suitable manner. A suitable elongated bearing'46 is provided' in v'said standards toreceive the shaft, it being understood that the cylinder 55 and the bearing 46 are in contact with the shaft 60 throughout their entire lengths, to prevent any gaswhich esi capes through the openingu53 from passing between the shaft 60 and the cylinder55 or 40 between the bearing and said shaft.

Saidcylinder 55 further` engages the innen face of the tank and as the piston rises or falls,

the entire tube 54 rotates, while remainingin 4 I pressed engagement withl the tank. 1 j 45 lIn order to force thetube 54 withvthe desired?pressure-against the tank and tethereby form a sealing joint therewithf'a Wide,

flexible, endless belt as 62 `may be arrangedV to apply constant, ,though adjustable `pressure,`against the tube inthe desired direction. The endless belt 62.is supported by the spaced shafts63, 64 and 65, a section 66 of the belt being bulged inwardly andvin 'engagement with the tube 54. The innermost shaft for the belt 62 is adjustable inwardly and outwardly, to vary the pressure upon the tube, as by means of the adjusting screw 67, supported in the bracket 68, which isin turn suitably securedtoy the support 69. Suitable anti-frictionbearings-as 70`are provided at the required points for supporting the shafts 63, 64 and 65; As illustrated in Fig.5, said bearings 7 0 may take the form of a shell 71 in which the ball races 7 2 and 73 are inserted with" the balls 74 therebetween;` It will be understood, however, ythat roller bearings or other ysuitable anti-friction bearings may replace the bearings illustrated. The shaft'65 is supported by `suitablestandards as 75 secured to the Aupper face of the piston, while the shaft 64 is suitably supported as by the-cantilever arm 76 eX- tending outwardly from the support 69, which may also be secured to the upper face ofthe piston. The bearings 70 for the `shaft `63 are adjustably supported by the brackets 68, by means of the adjusting screws 67, while the `bearings for the shaft 64 are mounted in the arm 76. In order to aidin maintainingthe element 54 lin its proper position, I prefer to provide an ad'- ditional shaft 77 .engagingthe cylinder 55, and rotated thereby on the movement of the piston.V Said shaft 77 is supported by two or more brackets 78, secured to the upper face of the piston, and provided with bearings as 7 0L i It will be seen that by adjusting the screws 67, the length of the section 66 of the belt `may be varied, thereby adjusting the pressure which forces the element 54V against the tank and against the shafts 60 and 77. As

the piston 50 moves upwardly or down` wardly, the frictional engagement of the tube 54 with the inside of the tank causes said tube "torrotate, said tube rolling on the shafts 60 and 77 and on the wall of the tank without substantial friction or wear, and

,causing the belt to move about its supporting shafts 68, 64 andv 65.v The face of the tank may be greased or otherwise lubricated, if desired, to minimize the friction. The projections 21 ofthe `column enter the recesses 52 of thepistonandprevent rotary displacementthereof. Saidprojection' 2l also enters the conical space between the conical connecting` portions'48 and 49 of the tube, and effectively seals said space without material wear on'` the surfaces of said conical portions, since the narrow connecting part 47 is sufficiently flexible to be distorted into its spread position and to be forced outwardly at the time'it engages said projection 21.

y Since thetube 54 is preferably supported above the piston, it is desirable to provide means for sealing the space below the conical portion 59 and between the adjacent ends of adjacent shafts 60, to prevent leakage ofv gas past and underneath the tube. Said means, as illustrated, takes the form of a bevelled wheel 81 havin'gfits surface suitably formed, so that in cross-section, said wheel is of substantially the shape of the cross-section of. the conical portions 48 and 49, taken vertically through the axes of the adjacent shafts 60.- Each "of said shafts 60 is suitably secured to the wheel 8l to permit relative rotationthereof independently of the rotation ofthe-shafts. Toward this end, a ball head as 82 is formed on the extremity of the shaftv `is sufficiently lieXible to allow that partr 60, v'and the wheel 81 isprovided with a pair of corresponding openings as 83and 84 of the same diameter as and coaxial of the ball. heads 82.

Said head enters the openings about half-way, thereby` providing two spacedline's of support for thevwheel'. The shafts GOfbeing supported against longitudinal movement, the wheel 81 is maintained on and is free to rotate on the ball heads 82, so that the shafts may rotate independently of the rotation of the wheel. The surface of the wheel, however, is made ofthe proper shape to firmly engage the surfaces of the conicalvportions 48 and 49 preferably alongv thereof which reaches its innermost position, tofoldv in and to allow'said part to be spread out into itsstretched position when it reaches and contacts with theprojection 2l. It will furtherbe seen that thetube 54, as well as those portions 59 of said tube which oin the cylindrical sections 55 thereof, are forced by the inflation thereof into proper, firm.,

though somewhat yyieldable engagement with' the various supporting parts therefor, andthat-thev projections 21and the wheel 81 properly7 seal the space 53 and .preventithe passage of gas past the shaft 60 or past the closed geometric figure 86 at which the tube engages the inner` surface of the tank. The

tube is,fof course, vannular andendless, andy the axis thereof is a geometric` figure of closed outline, parallel to the line formed by ahorizontal cross-section of the inner.

surface of the tank. p 1

It will further be seen .that due tothe rolling action of the tube 54, undue friction upon the parts is avoided andthe frequent lubrication and replacement necessary in present typesof sealing means is avoided. It will further be seen that the operation. of the sealing means is entirely automatic once the tube 54 has been inflatedor otherwise forced against the tank surface, and substantiallyno attention thereto is needed after said means has once been put into operation. i i

WVhile I have shown and described certain preferred embodiments ofA my invention, it will be understood that I do not intend to limit myself to the specific structure shown and described but intend to claim my invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art. and the termsfof the appended claims. Y

y 1. In a waterless gas holder free from sealing liquid, a tank polygonal in cross-section,

andhaving columns at the cornersr thereof, each of said columns comprising a pair of angularly disposed channels, an outer plate joining the outer flanges lof said channels,`

aninner plate secured to said channels and having a central, interiorly rextending portion, substantially triangular in cross-section, the body of said tank between said inner plates comprising a. series of vertically arranged vbent plates securedv tov said inner plates and to said channels, each of said bent plates having va horizontal portion of substantially the width ofthe web of the channel, a vertical inner portion depending from the inner edge of said flange and a vertical outer portion vdepending from the outer edge of said flange, and asecond horizontal portion extendingoutwardly from the lower edge of said vertical portion and of less width than the width of the first-mentioned horizontalportion, a piston closure in the tank, and: an annular rolling element carried y by said piston closure and engaging the inner n surface of said tank and indented at spaced points to lit and engage the triangular projections on said columns to form a leak-proof closure therebetween and adapted to permit rotation of the element as a unit about its annular axis.

2'. In a waterless gas holder, a tank comprising columns and plates joining said columns, a vertical extension substantially triangular incross section projecting inwardly from-each of said columns, a piston closure in the'tank, and a rolling annular' element having spaced indents therein carried by said piston closure and engaging the inner surface of the `tank and rolling thereon on the movement of the piston closure, and thereby rotatingv about its annular axis, the vertical extensions of the columns entering the indents to forma seal therebetween 3. In a waterlessfgas holder, a tank having a substantially smooth inner surface, and provided with spaced vertical inwardlyextending projections, a piston closure movable in said tank,`and an annular rolling element having indents corresponding to the projections and adapted to permit rolling of the element, said element being carried by said piston and in sealing engagement with the inner surface of the tank'and with the piston.

y4. In a waterless gas holder, a tank, a pist0n closure movable in said tank, a rolling elementl carried by said piston closure and movable therewith and engaging the surface of the tank, said'element comprising a series ofzcylinders, and flexible distortable connec-v tions between the ends of the cylinders to lcause rotation ofl said cylinders about their respective axes onl the rollingof the element, adjustable means including a belt for urging the element into engagement with theftank, and means carried by the piston lclosure for prism, a piston closure tted into the' tank supporting said rolling element and in sealing engagement therewith. j

j 5. In a waterless gas holder provided with a tank, and a piston closure providing a gap between the piston and the tank, means for sealingthe gap, comprising an annular rolling element provided atv spaced intervals with constricted flexible and distortable portions adapted to permit rotation of the element about its annularaxis, means for maintaining said element in sealing position, Vand means for supporting said elementfor rotation about saidaxis.

i 6. In a-waterless gas holder free of sealing liquid, a tank having an inner-"surface substantially in the form of a polygonal and 'of less diameter than that of said inner surface, a continuous endless member carried by the piston closure and engaging the inner surface of the tank and comprising a series of cylinders joined by constricted distortable members, and means including a belt for urging said member into engagement with said surface, whereby movement of said piston closure causes said member to rotate againstsaid surface.

7. In a waterless gas holder, a tank of substantially polygonal cross-section, a piston closure loosely fitted into said tank and movable therein, an endless revoluble sealing member carried by said piston closure, belt means carried by the piston closure for urging an area of said member of predetermined height and of the entire length of the member into engagement with the innersurface of the tank, and means on the piston closure for revolubly supporting said member and `for forming a seal between the member and said last-mentioned means.

8. In a waterlessl gas holder, a tank, a piston closure, an annular member on the closure contacting throughout the greater part of its length with the inner surface of said tank and forming a gas-proof dry seal between the closure and the tank, spaced coni-` cal members onthe annular member, correspondingly spaced means on said tank engaging said conical members and free of liquid for preventing leakage of gas therebetween, and means for revolubly supporting the member on the closure.

9. In a waterless gas holder, a tank,spaced` upright members on said tank substantially triangular in horizontal section and projecting inwardly of the inner wall of the tank, a pistonclosure movable in the tank and an endless annular rolling element .substantially circular in vertical section and engaging and rolling without sliding on the inner surface of the tank, and having spaced conical portions revoluble with the rolling element and engaging the triangular projections, and means carried by thepiston closure for engaging the surface of said rolling element and for supporting said element for rotation aboutthe interior axis of the circular vertical sections of said element.

l0. In a waterless `gas holder, a tank having vertical spaced projections on the inner ysurface thereof, a piston closure shaped to fit saidlprojections and to be guided thereby within the tank, an annular rolling element carried by the piston closure and having portions engaging the inner face ofthe tank and spaced portions engaging said projections to form aliquidle'ss seal therewith and to cause the 'element to rotate about its annular axis, and liquidless means between the piston closure and said element forsupporting saidj element and for preventingthe passage of gas past said element atv points spaced from the tank. r

l1. In a waterlessgasholder, a, tank, a piston 'closure in said tank, a liquidless seal comprising an annular rolling element having spaced indented portions and having a polygonal annular axis, means frictionally engaging and lmovable by the element for urging said element into engagement with the inner surface of the tank, means in sealing engagement with the element for supporting said element throughout its length except at the indented portions thereof, and liquidless means revoluble independently of said supporting means and carried thereby for engaging the indented portions and forming a seal therewith.

l2. In a waterless gas holder, liquidless sealing means comprising an annular rolling element having spaced indented portions, revoluble supporting means engaging the surface of said element and forming a liquidless seal therewith except at the indented portions and a wheel shaped to lit said indented portions and in liquidless sealing engagement with said portions and carried by said revoluble means and revoluble inde- 'pendently of said revoluble means.

k13. In a waterless gas holder, a tank, a piston closure movable vertically within the tank and having its peripheral edge spaced from the inner surface of the tank and liquidless means for sealing the circumferential space between the piston closure and the tank, comprising a series of substantially cylindrical rolling members comprising a rolling element engaging the inner face of the tank, and having spaced indented flexible portions adapted to cause the element to roll freely as a unit,rneans for revolubly supporting said rolling element for rotation about its vannular axis, spaced vertical stationary members on the tank projecting inwardly therefrom into sealing engagement with the indented portions of the element, and a revoluble wheel engaging each of said indented portions at points spaced inwardly from said members to prevent gas from passing said element at the. wheel.

14. Ina Waterless gas holder comprising a built-up outer tankandA a. movable piston closure, a dry seal between the piston closure and the tank comprising a series of similar spaced substantially cylindrical members adapted to contact With the inner surface of the tank .and to move thereagainst With pure rolling motion, and means for connecting the ends ofthe cylinders to permit said rolling motion comprising fiexible and distortable members joining they ends of the Cylindrical members, and spreading ,outwardly to `its, greatest Width nearest said inner sur- .1.5 face of the tank and contracting to its least Width at a diametrically opposite point on the rotation of said cylindrical members, said members forming an annular unit capable of rotation about its internal annular aXis substantially free of torsion f l15. In a Waterless gas holder, the combination with a piston closure of a dry seal therefor comprising an endless annular member of circular .vertical section throughout,

closure, a deviceA for sealing the gap between the piston closure and the tank comprising an annular inflatable tube, and means on the closure forv supporting said tube in position to close the gap, said tube comprising a series of spaced` cylinders arranged so that their axes form the sides of a polygon, and distortable connections between the ends of the cylinders to complete the tube and to permit the cylinders and the connections to rotate about their respective axes.

ANTON MARTIN ANTICH. 

